Let Them Be Little

Today my son reached a milestone. Not the first and won't be the last. But it was exciting nonetheless.

He graduated kindergarten (sniff sniff.)

Don't get me wrong. I wasn't one of those blubbering moms, frantic for my tissue, passing it covertly to other weepers wearing high heels, painted toenails and mascara streaks. No, not me! Never. I'm not one of those moms.

At least I wasn't until they played that darn video. And that darn song. The kind my mind heeds a warning as soon as that heart-tugging music starts: don't-listen-to-the-lyrics-or-waterworks-will-spurt! But it was too late. The words tempted and seduced the wordsmith in me and before I knew it she was sucked into the lyrics like dust through a vacuum. The song was Let Them Be Little and it didn't waste any time plucking my heartstrings.

What made matters worse was that darn video was chockfull of candid Kodak moments. Kindergartners: smiling toothless grins; hanging upside down from monkey bars; sitting cross-legged on chalk-covered concrete; waving blue painted hand prints; eating icing-all-over-chin cupcakes; holding newborn chicks, Easter baskets, slimy toads and each others' hands (sniff, sniff)--a year's worth of documented memories of my little boy's kindergarten experience--as that darn song played!

Let Them Be Little.

I was ambushed, I tell you!

I can remember when you fit in the palm of my hand
Felt so good in it, no bigger than a minute
How it amazes me, you're changing with every blink
Faster than a flower blooms, they grow up all too soon

So let them be little 'cause they're only that way for a while
Give them hope, give them praise, give them love every day
Let them cry, let them giggle, let them sleep in the middle
Oh just let them be little

I've never felt so much in one little tender touch
I live for those kisses, prayers and your wishes
Now that you're teaching me things only a child can see
Every night while we're on our knees all I ask is please

Let them be little 'cause they're only that way for a while
Give them hope, give them praise, give them love every day
Let them cry, let them giggle, let them sleep in the middle
Oh just let them be little

So innocent, a precious soul, you turn around
It's time to let them go

So let them be little 'cause they're only that way for a while
Give them hope, give them praise, give them love every day
Let them cry, let them giggle, let them sleep in the middle
Oh just let them be little

Let them be little.

Ok, so I'm one of those moms. But you better not tell anybody.

I'll just deny it.

(I don't have the actual video, but here's one from YouTube that plays the song. Grab the Kleenex:)

Posted in: Karen,Parenting,Relationships